Via claims smallest, lowest-power microprocessor

SAN JOSE -- During the Microprocessor Forum here today (Oct. 14, 2003), Taiwan's Via Technologies Inc. introduced what the company said is the world's smallest and lowest power processor.

Available at speeds of 533-MHz, 800-MHz, and 1-GHz, the VIA Eden-N processor features the tiny nanoBGA package, making it the world's smallest native x86 processor. The nanoBGA package measures just 15- x 15-mm, and is expanding the reach of the x86 architecture to consumer electronics and commercial devices, according to Via of Taipei.

With Thermal Design Power (TDP) values of 4-, 6-, and 7-Watt, respectively, the VIA Eden-N processor also boasts the world's lowest power consumption from a native x86 processor.

Based on the company's new, streamlined Nehemiah core architecture, the VIA Eden-N processor also includes advanced embedded hardware security technologies, said Glenn Henry, president of Via's processor unit, Centaur Technology.

"With its fast, efficient, and cost effective hardware encryption capabilities, the VIA Eden-N processor is paving the way towards pervasive security for all manner of PCs and smart digital devices by enabling robust protection for sensitive corporate and personal data at the system level and across fixed and wireless networks," he said in a statement.

The VIA Eden-N processor adds advanced new on-die security features to the existing PadLock Security Suite on the Nehemiah core, including the new PadLock Advanced Cryptography Engine (ACE) and two hardware based RNGs.